News related to
Microsoft

Riyadh is advancing its push into artificial intelligence, sidestepping some of the previous fanfare around the massive urban-megaproject Neom, and signalling a new strategic pivot by its sovereign wealth arm Public Investment Fund. The fund is repositioning to attract global AI investment, deepen partnerships with major tech players and harness data-centre infrastructure at scale.

The kingdom’s leadership is steering resources away from grand construction ambitions to technology-driven growth. The newly formed Humain — a PIF-backed AI company — was launched in May with the mission of establishing Saudi Arabia as a global hub for AI. The firm plans to build advanced data centres, cloud services and one of the world’s most powerful Arabic large-language models.

Strategic deals have followed. U. S. chip-maker Nvidia has agreed to ship some 18,000 Blackwell chips to Saudi Arabia to support a 500-megawatt data-centre facility coordinated by Humain. PIF and international analysts say the move reflects a shift in focus: less emphasis on sprawling “giga-projects” of construction, more on the digital-infrastructure layer that underpins a future knowledge-economy.

Globally, transformative AI applications — from generative-AI language models to edge computing in industries — require vast compute power, energy and state coordination. PIF’s governor Yasir Al‑Rumayyan has said the kingdom is well-placed, given its energy resources and large-scale capital, to become a “hub outside the U. S.” for AI development. Analysts suggest the pivot acknowledges market realities: mega-cities like Neom have proved slower to materialise than envisaged, while digital-economy bets offer faster, more measurable returns.

The megacity Neom and its flagship component – The Line – have faced scepticism over timelines, cost-overruns and foreign investor pull-back. Executive reshuffles in Neom’s leadership and recalibrated investment priorities have signalled the shift. Meanwhile, PIF has begun trimming the proportion of its portfolio allocated to global investments — moving foreign-allocation toward 18 per cent from previous targets — to double-down on domestic strategic sectors like AI.

The investment case for Saudi Arabia is sizeable. Humain aims to tap into the Arab-language market of over 450 million people, while deploying data-centre capacity measured in gigawatts. Academic and industry voices say the kingdom has already built one of the strongest AI-ready physical infrastructures in the Middle East: multiple super-computers, data centres and training programmes are in motion. On the human-capital front, programmes to train 20,000 data/AI experts by 2030 are underway through partnerships with international firms such as Microsoft, Accenture and Huawei Technologies.

For global tech firms and investors, Saudi Arabia’s offer now centres around “sovereign AI infrastructure” rather than purely construction or real-estate play. The deal with Nvidia is seen as precedent-setting: Nvidia’s CEO told reporters that AI infrastructure is “essential infrastructure” akin to power and internet. Moreover, the shift aligns with the kingdom’s broader strategic framework Vision 2030 — which seeks to reduce oil-dependence and build a diversified economy.

Nevertheless, risks remain. Observers caution that the AI ambition is spectacular in scale yet faces operational and regulatory challenges — from data-governance to talent retention and ideological scrutiny. The push may also attract geopolitical scrutiny given the involvement of U. S. technology in Saudi infrastructure. The earlier mega-project model illustrates how bold vision can be slowed by delivery hurdles.

By K Raveendran     When Google announced that Visakhapatnam would be home to its $15 billion project to build the company’s first artificial intelligence hub in India, the news landed like a thunderclap across the southern states. For Andhra Pradesh, it was nothing short of a jackpot — a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rewrite the […]

The article Google’s AI Hub: Visakhapatnam’s Jackpot, South India’s Heartburn appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

India is dispatching over 450 technology firms and startups to GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai, anchoring the India Pavilion under the aegis of ESC. The pavilion will span multiple halls and spotlight more than 100 Indian enterprises across sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, IoT, smart mobility, fintech and digital infrastructure. Organisations will also engage in high-stakes networking, investor roundtables and B2B matchmaking.

GITEX Global 2025, running from 13 to 17 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre, draws more than 6,800 tech companies and some 2,000 startups from about 180 countries. It is expected to be the largest edition to date, integrating themes such as physical AI, quantum computing, biomedicine and semiconductor innovation. Across the co-located Expand North Star event, over 1,200 investors managing assets exceeding US$1.1 trillion will scout opportunities among scale-ups and unicorns.

The India Pavilion marks a concerted push to convert India–UAE strategic frameworks into tangible tech commerce. With the India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the Local Currency Settlement System operational, cross-border ICT trade has surged. Bilateral trade crossed US$100 billion during fiscal year 2024–25, and electronics exports alone reached US$3.7 billion, positioning the UAE as a key destination for Indian hardware shipments.

At a preparatory briefing, Kamal Vachani, ESC’s regional director for Dubai, described the pavilion as more than a display — “a living showcase of India’s tech prowess and growing synergy with the UAE.” ESC’s CEO, Gurmeet Singh, noted that many participating companies are MSMEs or first-time exporters, and that the pavilion aligns with India’s ambition to emerge as a global electronics hub.

India’s strategy at GITEX goes beyond sheer numbers. Firms are bringing solutions purpose-built for global markets — from smart city platforms to blockchain-enabled supply chains. The pavilion will host curated sessions on cross-border compliance, regulatory alignment, and scalable deployment across Middle Eastern and African markets.

For the UAE, the event reinforces its vision of acting as a global nexus for innovation and capital. Major corporate names such as G42, e&, IBM, AMD, Huawei, Microsoft, Oracle and Amazon Web Services will anchor the exhibitions. New entrants including Cerebras, Tata Electronics, Qualcomm and Tenstorrent will attempt to break in. The show also emphasises future-critical infrastructure: hyperscale data centres, quantum systems, and semiconductor roadmaps are front and centre.

Globally, one of the event’s linchpin themes is the maturation of AI into domain-specific systems. The AI Semicon track will address sovereign technology imperatives in chip design, while the Quantum Expo will present fault-tolerant architectures. At the intersection of AI and healthcare, companies like Mammoth Biosciences and Paradromics will illustrate how gene-editing and neurotech are being reimagined. Robotics firms will showcase humanoid prototypes and autonomous “robocars,” underscoring the pivot to “physical AI.”

Strategic partnerships form a parallel narrative. India and the UAE are finalising memorandum exchanges via the UAE-India Business Council to deepen collaboration across fintech, logistics, digital infrastructure and state-level investment. The CEPA Start-up Series launched earlier this year in New Delhi underscores a joint intent to foster innovation-led cross-border growth.

Google has broadened the accessibility of its AI-powered search feature, now available in 35 additional languages and 40 more countries. This global expansion brings cutting-edge search capabilities to millions more users, further solidifying the tech giant’s position in the evolving digital landscape.

The search engine’s AI mode, which has already been integrated into several regions, is designed to enhance user experience by delivering more nuanced, contextually aware responses. It leverages advanced machine learning algorithms to provide users with relevant, personalised information based on their search queries. As a result, users now receive more accurate results and immediate answers, whether they’re looking for detailed technical data, news, or casual information.

The expansion into 35 new languages, including Bengali, Malay, and Persian, marks a significant milestone in Google’s ambition to create a more universally accessible search engine. The company’s efforts to make its AI-powered features more inclusive have resonated with a global audience, particularly in regions with high numbers of native speakers who had previously been underrepresented in AI-driven services.

This development is part of Google’s broader strategy to strengthen its competitive edge in the search market. With AI now becoming a central element in search functionality, the company aims to differentiate itself from other players, such as Microsoft’s Bing, which has also integrated AI technology into its search engine.

Google’s move aligns with its ongoing efforts to prioritise artificial intelligence across its platforms. AI’s role in search has evolved beyond simple query-based responses to complex problem-solving and semantic understanding. By deploying AI in this expanded format, the company is setting a new benchmark for how search engines should interact with users. The introduction of more languages ensures that users worldwide benefit from a more intuitive and responsive search experience.

The roll-out is also designed to capture the attention of non-English-speaking markets, where Google has faced competition from regional players. For example, in countries where local languages dominate, such as parts of Southeast Asia and the Middle East, the ability to use AI-driven search in native languages is a crucial step towards maintaining user loyalty. Google’s strategy appears to be not only about providing relevant information but also tailoring responses in ways that reflect cultural and linguistic contexts.

Industry analysts note that the deployment of AI in search is becoming increasingly vital for tech companies looking to stay ahead in the digital space. By bringing AI to more languages, Google is ensuring its search platform remains at the forefront of technological innovation, offering greater value to users around the globe. Furthermore, the technology promises to assist businesses in connecting with customers more effectively by improving discoverability and delivering content more suited to regional and linguistic preferences.

This step towards universal AI integration is also a response to the growing demand for more accessible, user-centric services. As artificial intelligence continues to mature, users expect it to provide not only immediate answers but also solutions that are tailored to their individual needs and linguistic background.

However, the move is not without its challenges. Ensuring that AI algorithms perform optimally in diverse languages, including those with complex grammatical structures and dialects, remains a significant hurdle. For instance, languages like Bengali or Malay pose unique challenges due to their rich vocabulary and varied sentence structures. Google’s AI team is likely to continue refining its models to handle these nuances, improving accuracy and overall user satisfaction.

The growing global reach of AI-powered search further emphasises the broader trend of AI’s role in shaping future technology. With machine learning increasingly being embedded into everyday tasks, from search engines to digital assistants, the evolution of AI represents both an opportunity and a responsibility for companies like Google. The company must balance rapid innovation with ethical considerations, ensuring that its AI systems are transparent, equitable, and accountable.

More than 70 percent of H-1B visa recipients are citizens of India, underscoring the country’s dominant role in the U. S. skilled-worker pipeline. According to U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data, in fiscal year 2024, India accounted for 71 percent of approved H-1B petitions. China followed distantly with 11.7 percent.

The H-1B visa programme allows U. S. companies to employ foreign nationals in “specialty occupations,” typically requiring at least a bachelor’s degree, over periods of up to six years. The annual statutory cap is 65,000 new visas plus 20,000 reserved for holders of advanced U. S. degrees.

The Indian concentration in the H-1B cohort has persisted over decades, yet its scale is striking under renewed policy pressure. A recent presidential proclamation raised the cost for new H-1B petitions to $100,000—a move critics say targets exactly the cohort with the greatest concentration in India.

Industry analysts warn the fee hike could shrink participation in the programme or push firms to avoid new petitions, particularly when the number of new visas is strictly limited. The policy excludes existing visa holders and those whose petitions were filed before the proclamation.

The Indian government has cautioned that such steep increases in visa costs may have “humanitarian consequences” for workers and families. It has also expressed concern about disruption to bilateral skilled labour mobility and urged U. S. authorities to reconsider the policy in light of its broader economic implications.

Indian IT firms such as Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys have historically been among the top sponsors of H-1B workers. But recent years have seen U. S. tech firms like Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Meta increasingly dominate the list of petitioners, reflecting evolving dynamics in who hires global talent.

Critics of the visa fee hike argue that Congress—not the executive branch—retains authority to impose fees and that the move could contravene statutory limits on visa allocation. A coalition of industry groups, unions and educational organisations has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the policy’s legality.

Supporters of the change frame it as a measure to prioritise domestic wage levels and reduce abuse of the H-1B system by contractors hiring at low rates. They contend the increased barrier will press firms to invest more in U. S.-based workforce development, though critics counter that American companies rely heavily on foreign technical talent to stay globally competitive.